My Life

I have a good life. A wife that I love and who loves me back. Two great kids whom I am very proud of. A job that I love. But most of all, I have my garage and dogs! When I get time to spend the day working on one of my car projects, I feel the most alive. I crank up the music I grew up with, and nobody complains.

The dogs, Zora, Bella, and Ginger, are my constant companions when I am working in the garage. I always remember my first garage companion, Annie, who is buried behind the garage. I call my garage “Big Dog Garage” because, without the dogs, it would lose its character and become just another place to keep cars and other junk.

I have no time limit when I am in the garage, but I put things back in their place when I get tired. The older I get, the earlier I tire during the day than I did in my younger years. My car projects have no deadline; I consider the build as enjoyable as the finished product. I don’t create debt with my projects; I buy parts when I can afford them. Once a year, I go to the Corvette Expo in Houston, TX, to buy parts and enjoy seeing other people’s car projects.

When I have my workout on the driveway, neighbors always slow down to see what I am working on. I get lots of friendly waves and smiles from people I don’t even know. Every once in a while, someone will stop to say hi and see what I am working on. Most of the time, they tell me about their dream projects that they never made time for. When they leave, I am very thankful that I have pursued my dream of building the cars I love.

When I am working in the garage, I leave the entire world behind and am in my own personal sanctuary. There are no conflicts, bad news, or other junk we hear every day, only the car projects and my dogs. Jennifer will always come out to the garage to see how I am doing. I am so blessed to have a wife who recognizes how much being out here means to me. She will go with me to pick up parts I find online, usually from many miles away. I always enjoy my time with her as we pursue the next part I need. Car people are the best people to be around.

When the time comes for Jesus to call me home, cremate me and put me in a toolbox. Throw in a few tools for good measure and bury me next to my dogs behind the garage.